Dexus has submitted a change application to Brisbane City Council proposing a series of design refinements to its $2.5 billion Waterfront Brisbane project, currently under construction on the former Eagle Street Pier site.
The application relates to the previously approved development and seeks to update specific design elements of the riverfront pavilion, landscaping, and associated public realm areas.
While construction continues on the first of two commercial towers, this latest application focuses on enhancing the functionality and amenity of the pavilion precinct – which will serve as a key dining and retail hub along the river’s edge.
The most notable change involves the redesign of the two-storey Waterfront Pavilion. The structure adopts a more contemporary form with a segmented, sawtooth-style roofline and refined material palette. While the maximum building height would increase marginally from RL16.5m to RL18.55m, the overall roof equipment profile is better integrated, resulting in a less visually dominant structure compared to the previous approval.
Public accessibility and visual connectivity with the river have also been prioritised. The pavilion is now proposed to be set further back from the Riverwalk, increasing the river setback from 7.6m to 10.17m, thereby improving permeability and creating more space for public movement along the riverfront.
Landscaped terraces, elevated seating, and a lookout platform are introduced to improve activation at the river’s edge.
Under the proposal, total publicly accessible landscaped open space across the site would increase by nearly 17%, now covering approximately 6,155m² (or 53.2% of the site area). Landscape design by LatStudios includes cascading planting, subtropical trees, integrated public seating, and a large civic-scale lawn between Mary Street and the Riverwalk.
The porte cochere of Waterfront Place would be reconfigured to create a more generous pedestrian experience. The updated design consolidates vehicular access to one side of the entry court, allowing for a wider pedestrian forecourt framed with planting and paving upgrades. Awning connections between Naldham House, the pavilion, and Waterfront Place are also proposed to improve weather protection and unify the precinct’s public realm.
The development includes a continuous covered walkway linking the pavilion to neighbouring awnings. By consolidating structures and aligning roof heights, the design creates a more integrated look and feel across the riverfront site. The intent is to create a seamless experience between built form, retail activation and public movement.
A key goal of the redesign is to improve integration with the future City Reach Riverwalk, which will eventually span the full length of the Waterfront Brisbane frontage. The revised plans show a gently graded 1:22 ramp and staircase connecting the new plaza to the river level. Seating, planting, and a headland-inspired lookout are included to enhance the river’s edge experience.
Increased setbacks and reduced roof bulk also contribute to a more open and human-scaled interface with the Riverwalk. According to the town planning report submitted with the application, the proposed changes are intended to enhance permeability, usability, and the visual quality of this part of the precinct.
Project rundown
| Development Parameter | Proposed Development |
|---|---|
| Address: | 193 & 197 Mary Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000 |
| Development Type: | Change Application – Pavilion, Landscape and Public Realm Updates |
| Site Area: | 11,705m² |
| Gross Floor Area (GFA): | 2,377m² (Pavilion) |
| Height: | 2 storeys / approximately 18.55 metres |
| Apartments: | N/A – Commercial and Retail Pavilion |
| Elevators: | 1 elevator |
| Communal Space: | 6,155m² of public open space |
| Retail: | Bar, food and drink outlets, shop |
| Car Parking: | 226 spaces (increased from 187) |
| Bike Parking: | 6 spaces |
| Developer: | Dexus Funds Management Limited |
| Architect: | FJC Studio (FJMT) / Arkhefield (base towers) |
| Landscape Design: | LatStudios |
| Town Planner: | Place Design Group |
| Sustainability: | Rooftop Solar: Not specified Energy Efficiency: Integrated passive shading, upgraded glazing Waste Management: Centralised basement collection with upgraded facilities Water Conservation: Subtropical planting, irrigation systems Green Landscaping: Extensive soft landscaping and shade tree plantings Active Transport Facilities: Cycle access and end-of-trip facilities retained |
| Date Submitted: | April 2025 |
| Assessment Level: | Code Assessable (Other Change Application) |
| DA Application Link: | A005477660 |
These refinements come as Brisbane’s inner city continues to undergo significant transformation. Just two blocks from the site, the new Albert Street Cross River Rail station is under construction and will deliver increased pedestrian traffic through the southern CBD.
The Mary Street corridor running from the station to the river is expected to play a key role in linking new transport infrastructure with Brisbane’s evolving waterfront spaces. The public realm changes proposed under this application are intended to align with Council’s broader City Centre Master Plan and City Reach Waterfront Strategy.
Construction of the first commercial tower is underway, and Dexus is targeting a staged delivery of new Riverwalk sections and plaza areas by 2026. The change application is now being assessed by Brisbane City Council.
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Nice outcome for creating more public space! I’m certain Lat will nail it.
I think the architect realised they hadn’t included faux arches and that triggered a panic and re-submission :’)
While I appreciate the efforts to modernise the pavilion design, I personally prefer the original concept. The initial design’s aesthetic and integration with the surrounding environment resonated more with Brisbane’s character. I hope the final development retains elements that reflect the city’s unique charm.
It’ll be nice to build like a very nice shopping centre like something similar to Carindale on the river you know will be very nice because it doesn’t seem like they have a very good amount of shopping centres in Queen Street and this will be a great boost